Workman&#39;s time-recorder.



F. J. TRAN'& F. GAIS.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

APPLIGATION FILED OUT. 1, 190a.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

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F. L TRAN 65 F. GAIS; WORKMANS TIME RECORDER. Arrmouron run 0017-, 1908.

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APPLICATION I'ILED OOT. I, 1908.

Patented Dec.20, 1910.

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UNITED STATES FRANK J. TRAN AND FRANK CAIS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

WORKMANS TIME-RECORDER.

Application filed October 7, 1808.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK J. TRAN and I FRANK Cans, citizens of theUnited States, and residents of Cleveland, county of Guyahoga, State ofOhio, have jointly invented a new and useful Improvement in VorkmensTime-Recorders, of which the following is a specification, the principleof the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which wehave contemplated applying that principle, so to distinguish it fromother inventions.

Our invention relates to time recorders such as are regularly employedin factories, stores, and similar establishments, where it is founddesirable to register the time of arrival and departure each day, orseveral times each day, of a. large number of employees.

Such invention more specifically relates to improvements in a workmanstime recorder of the type described in our recently issued Patents Nos.875,392 and 875,393.

The object of these improvements is to simplify certain details ofconstruction in our earlier forms of recorder, as also to provide meanswhereby the time-printing device may be moved. temporarily from theosition given it by the clock automatic controlling mechanism, wherebythe setting of such time printing device may be facilitated, and wherebythe clock mechanism may be relieved of the major portion of the burdenthat is imposed upon it in the operation of such controlling means.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, said inventionthen consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 is a front eleva 11 n of a timerecorder of the kind referred to above, wherein have been embodied ourseveral improvements; Fig. 2 is a. central longitudinal section of suchrecorder on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view ofa detail of the recorder mechanism; Fig. 4 is partly a planSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

Serial No. 456,644.

I view and partly a section of a portion of such detail; Fig. 5 is asectional view of another detail cooperative with the detail shown inFigs. 3 and 4:; Fig. 6 is a side elevation, with a portion of the framebroken away, of the time-printing device; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan viewof a portion of such timeprinting device; Fig. 8 is an elevational viewof a portion of the clock mechanism, whereby the recorder is operated;Fig. 9 is a sectional view of such mechanism; Figs. 10 and 11 arerespectively a broken perspective view and a transverse section of an alternative construction of automatic control for regulating the movementof the time printing device; and Fig. 12 is an elevation of theactuating mechanism for the printing device.

In general the recorder comprises a case A within which is revolublymounted a drum or platen B, shown in section in Fig. 2: a time-printingdevice C adapted to move on ways a a transversely across said platen; aclock actuated spindle 6 parallel with said ways and connected tooperate said timeorintin device; mechanism, including a shaft D, themore particular construction of which will be presently noted, forcontrolling the movei'i'ient of said time-printing device across theplaten: and operating means 7'. e. mechanism whereby said platen may berotated, so as to bring any desired portion thereof beneath the timeprinting device, and the latter thereupon actuated to print on therecord sheet borne by said platen. Inasmuch as the general correlationof these parts is the same in the present device, as in that describedin our patents above identified, the following description will beconfined to noting the several departures that are now made in thepreviously described construction, reference being had to such patentsfor a description of the general operation of the recorder.

As in the recorder described in Patent No. 875,393 we propose to use adial A. provided with two series (6 o of designating characters, Fig. 1,such characters corresponding with transverse portions of the platen.For rotating the platen two levers B B are provided in front of saiddial, associated with which are pointers b b of unequal lengths, theseries of characters justreferred to being so arranged as to beindicated by the longer and the shorter of said two pointersrespectively. \Vhen a pointer is then brought into position with respectto any particular character and the lever pressed inwardly areciprocable plunger 7). Fig. lying in the hollow drum shaft 7) will beactuated inwardly. and by suitable connections Figs. 2 and 12 cause thetimeprinting device to contact with the portion of the platencorresponding with the character indicated. By the foregoing arrangementof characters and pointers, it is possible to keep all the charactersfor the entire periphery of the platen within a semi-circular dialspace. It has been found, however. that inadvertently or otherwise alever may be operated when directed downwardly. or in other words whennot properly indicating any character all upon said dial; obviously thiswill cause the printing device to register at the wrong place on theplaten. To prevent such occurrence we have accordingly provided meanswhereby each of said levers is held inoperative save when its pointer iscooperative with the corresponding series of characters. As a simpleform of device for accomplishing this result, a semi-circular groove (4*is provided in the face of t 2e dial. and on the under side of thelevers there are secured pins 7) Zr that will normally just graze thesurface of the dial. so that actuation of the lever, except when suchpin is located over the groove in question, is impossible.

in place of a spindle having a series of adjnstably positioned slotteddisks mounted thereon for controlling movement of the time-printingdevice across the platen, we employ a simple shaft D upon which aremounted a plurality of lugs or knobs (Z that are rotatabl2 aboutradially disposed axes, such axes having various angular relation to theaXis of said shaft. The time printing device. Fig. 6. is provided withan arm 0 that. as said device thus moves across the platen. passes alongsuch shaft D, such movement of the device being permitted only when alug (Z on the shaft is brought into register with a notch c in said arm.as will be readily understood. Rotation of shaft D. as in the case ofthe spindle formerly employed is derived from the same clocl: mechanismE that drives the spindle c for rotating the time-printing type-wheelsin said device. Since it occasionally becomes necessary. however. to setor change the position of the time-printing device, and since the latterpreferably non-removably secured on its ways. we provide means fordetachably connecting said control shaft. D with the clock mechanism F.Such means comprise a gear (Z slidably. but non-rotatably secured on theshaftand adapted to engage with a gear (1' of said mechanism. and alever (Z that adapted normally to retain said first gear in suchengagement. but when raised to permit the same to be shifted out of suchengagement. \Yhen thus out of engagement. the shaft may obviously berotated independently of the clock mechanism. to permit of the freemovement therealong of the time-planting device to such position as itmay be desired to give the same. In connection with this same clockmechanism, we provide a weight. E suspended from a cord 0 which passesover a pulley and is connected with a drum 0 fixedly secured to the sameshaft c", upon which aforesaid gear c is mounted. Such weight thusconnected. constitutes an auxiliary driving means whereby said controlshaft is rotated without placing any burden upon the clock mechanism,the latter serving simply as a brake, or regulator. This is quiteimportant since, in spite of the anti-friction character of theengagement between the knobs or balls (7 of the control shaft and theprinting device. considcable power is required to drive said shaft.

In the use of a recorder of the type in hand, it not infrequentlybecomes desirable to record the time of arrival. for example. of anemployee, even though he arrives after the period allotted within whichto register such arrival; otherwise such arrival is noted in a column inwhich it does not belong, with attendant confusion of the record sheet.Ye accordingly provide means for longitudh nally shifting the controlshaft D. either forwardly or baclm'ardly. a predetermined amount andthereby correspondingly varying the position of the time-printing devicefrom that which it would be given by the time control means operatingalone. Such shifting means comprise a cylindrical ele ment F fixedlysecured in the front end of the case and provided with a helical way f.within which is rotatably mounted a rotatable element F having an arm jthat engages with said helical way. lotation of said element which maybe had by means ot a handle f", if in one direction will be effective todraw the element tot-weirdly as will be obvious. while if rotated in theother direction said member will be retracted with respect to the fixedelement F. The front. end of shaft D is rotatably secured in the innerend of said rotatable element F so that such reciprocation of the lattersimultane ously advances or retracts said shaft. ,ho distance throughwhich such advance or retraction talus place is equal to that necessaryto secure the variation in the position of the time-printing devicedesired. he

arm f borne by member F and engaging with helical groove f, as has beendescribed, is connected at its outer free end with a rod j that will heobviously raised and lowered as the element f is thus rotated in orderto advance or retract the same. A weighted arm f" disposed transverselyof the front end of the recorder casing and connected with said rodserves normally to depress the same and thereby retain the arm f in itslower central position corresponding with the normal position of elementF and the shaft D connected therewith. In order, however, that when saidshaft D has been advanced or retracted from its normal position it maybe temporarily retained in such position pending the act of registration(viz. operation of the time recording mechanism proper) we provide anapertured plate in position to engage the lower end of said rod suchrod. end being suitably guided in brackets f to register with saidaperture and extend therebelow in the lower position of the rod. This,it may be stated, is its normal position. However, if such rod be raiseda plate f actuated by spring f obstructs the aperture and prevents thereturn of the rod. A dog f pivotally mounted laterally of the plateengages therewith and is connected through a rod f and lover f withreciprocable shaft b whereby the timeprinting n'iechanism is actuated,the nature of this connection being such that upon actu ation of thetime-printing mechanism such dog f will be simultaneously actuated todisplace the plate j and allow the rod f to now assume its normalposition. The operation of this portion of the device should be readilyevident z Assuming the shaft D to have been either advanced or retractedin order to permit registration in a column other than the one overwhich the time-printing device is located at the time of registration,such device will be retained in its advanced or re tracted positionuntil after the desired registration is effected, whereuponautomatically the parts are returned to their former normal positions.

The time-printing device 0, movable across the platen. as hereinbeforedescribed upon ways a (z, comprises two parts, a car-- riage C that isthus actually mounted upon such ways, and a member C wherein arei'nounted the minute and hour type-wheels o c, that is pivotally securedto said carriage. Depression of the pivotal member to bring thetype-wheels into contact with the platen is effected by depressing arocking frame C Figs. 2 and 12, that is normally retained in elevatedposition by a spring cooperative with a bell-crank C, the latter havingits upper arm 0" connected with said frame as clearly appears in thefirst figure of reference. Oscillation of this bell-crank to raise itsupper arm and frame C is had from the reciprocable rod 1) within hollowshaft 7)" of the drum, such rod being formed with a lateral extension Z)b aring a pawl. adapted, when moved outwardly, to engage a lever c thathad sliding pivotal connection with the lower arm 0 of the bell-crank. Atension spring 0 connected with said arm serves to draw frame Cdownwardly again, and with sufficient impetus to cause the time-printingdevice to strike the platen upon release of lever c by pawl 6 In Figs.10 and 11, we show an alternative construction for controlling the movement of the time-printing device across the platen, consisting, insteadof a shaft D bearing knob-like stop members, of a semi-cylin dricalplate D similarly equipped, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 10,when, however, it appears in inverted position. Such plate does notrotate, but axially located with respect thereto is an angular shaft Dthat does, said shaft having a slidably mounted disk (3* that is carriedalong with the time-printing device by means of an arm a on the latter.Such disk is notched, as at (Z to permit the desired intermittentmovement of the device. This n'iovement, it should perhaps have beenpreviously explained, is secured by means of a weight H and cord 71.Such cord is carried across the front of the case, see Fig. 1, so as topermit the weight to be located in one corner of the latter out of theway; and also to permit said cord to actuate an indicator H, by means ofwhich the successive positions of the time-printing device are correctlyand promptly shown.

here as in the illustrated construction of time-printing device, boththe minute wheel 0 and the hour wheel 0 are of the same size, we findthe imprint is rendered much cleaner by employing a cover plate, as cFigs. 6 and 7, on the under side of the movable member G that carriesthese wheels. Such plate, which is preferably a thin metallic sheet, isformed with two communicating apertures 0 through which correspondinglypositioned type on wheels 0 0 may print. The aperture 0 is'of a sizesuch as to permit but a single hour to be printed, whereas the companionaperture 0" permits a. plurality of minute type to print; of the minutesthus printed the one earest in line with the hour can be readilydetermined thus eliminating a difficulty encoimtered where the wheelsare depressed without an interposed shield. .Obviously any tendency toblurring, owing to the ribbon coming in contact with the sheet, islikewise overcome.

Other means of applying the principle of our invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employ-ed.

Ive therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as ourinvention 1. In a time recorder, the combination with a platen and atime-printing device, the one being movable relatively to the other; ofmeans for effecting such movement; timecontrolled means for regulatingsuch movement; manually operable means adapted to move said platen anddevice relatively to each other independently of aforesaid means, saidplaten and device remaining where placed by said last-named means untilsaid device is actuated to print; and means for automatically restoringsaid platen and device to the relative position given them by saidtime-controlled means after actuation of said device to print.

2. In a time recorder, the combination with a platen and atii'ne-printing device, the one being movable relatively to the other;of means tending to effect such movement; time-controlled means forregulating such movement; manually operable means adapted to shift saidplaten and device relatively to each other from the position given themby aforesaid means a predetermined amount; and means adapted to restoresaid platen and device to such position upon actuation of said device toprint.

3. In a time recorder, the combination with a platen and a time-printingdevice, the one being movable relatively to the other; of means tendingto effect such movement; time-controlled means for regulating suchmovement; manually operable means adapted to shift said platen anddevice relatively to each other from the position given them byaforesaid means a predetermined amount in either direction; and meansadapted to restore said platen and device to such position uponactuation of said device to print.

4:. In a time recorder. the combination of a platen, a timeprintingdevice. movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, time controlled means for regulating such movement, and manuallyoperable means adapted to shift said device from the position given itby aforesaid means a predetermined amount in either direction from suchposition.

5. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, time-controlled means for regulating such movement, and othermeans for independently moving said device. said device remaining whereplaced by said lastnamed means until actuated to print.

6. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, time-controlled means for regulating such movement, manuallyoperable means adapted to move said device in dependently of aforesaidmeans, means for maintaining said device where placed by said manuallyoperable means until actuated to print, and means for automaticallyrestoring said device to the position given it by said time-controlledmeans after actuation thereof to print.

7. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen. a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, time controlled means for regulating such movement, manuallyoperable means adapted to shift said device from the position given itby aforesaid means a predetermined amount, and means adapted to restoresaid device to such position upon actuation thereof to print.

8. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, time-controlled means for regulating such movement, manuallyoperable means adapted to shift said device from the position given itby aforesaid means a predetermined amount in either direction from suchposition, and means adapted to restore said device to such position uponactuation thereof to print.

9. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel of saiddevice and having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movementof said device is regulated, and means adapted to longitudinally shiftsaid member in either direction, whereby said device may be either'advanced or retracted a predetermined amount from the position thusgiven it, as desired.

10. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel of saiddevice and having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movementof said device is regulated, means adapted to longitudinally shift saidmember in either direction, whereby said device may be either advancedor retracted a predetermined amount from the position thus given it. asdesired, and means adapted to restore said device to such position uponactuation thereof to print.

11. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel of saiddevice and. having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movementof said device is regulated, means adapted to longitudinally shift saidmember to move said device from the position thus given it, meanstending to return said member to its normal position, and meansconnected to be actuated simultaneonsly with said device for controllingsuch return. I

12. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across ,ffiltl platen. means tending thus to move saiddevice, a member disposed paral lot with the path of travel of saiddevice and having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movementof said device is regulated. and means adapted to longitudinally shift.said member to move said de ice from the position thus given it, saidmeans comprising an elementtormed with a helical way and a rotatableelement engaging such way and connected with said member.

13. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel. of saiddevice and having time controllcd engagement there with whereby movementof said device is regulated, means adapted to longitudinally sln t saidmember to move ,aid device from the position thus given it, said. meanscomprising an element formed with a helical way and a rotatable elementengaging such way and toUDCttQtl with said member, an arm borne by saidrotatable element, a vertically reciprocable rod. connected with saidarm, a stop normally preventing movement of said rod and means connectedto be actuated sin'mltancously with said printing de vice forwithdrawing said stop.

lat. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen, a time printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move. saiddevice, and time controlled means for regulating such movement, saidlast- .named means comprising two members, one of which is rotatable andone of which is borne by said device, one member lying parallel with thepath of travel of said device and bearing a plurality of radiallydisposed rotatable l s and the other member being provided with a notchadapted to pass said lugs when in proper angular position.

15. In, a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, means tending thus to move saiddevice, and time controlled means for regulating such movement, saidlastnamed means comprising a rotatable shaft parallel with the path oftravel of said device, a plurality of radially disposed lugs rotatablymounted upon said shaft, and an arm borne by said device and providedwith a notch adapted to pass said lugs when in proper angular position.

16. In a time recorder, the combination of a rotary platen, atimeprinting device, a dial provided with designating characters, leversconnected to operate said printing device, and means holding each ofsaid levers inoperative save when it is positioned to indicate one of aparticular series of characters on said dial.

17. In a time recorder, the combination of a rotary platen, atime-printing device, a dial provided with two series of designatingcharacters corresponding with transverse portions of said platen, twopointers of unequal lengths mounted in front of said dial and connectedto rotate with said platen, such series of characters being so arrangedas to be respectively indicated by the longer and the shorter of said.two pointers, levers corresponding with said pointers and connected tooperate said printing device, and means holding each of said leversinoperative save when its pointer is cooperative with the correspondingseries of characters.

18. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable across said platen, a rotatable shaft parallel with thepath of travel of said device and adapted to engage the same to controlits movement, clock mechanism for driving said shaft, and means fordetachably connecting said shaft with said mechanism, said meanscomprising a gear slidably but non-rotatably secured to said shaft andadapted to engage with a gear of said mechanism, and a lever adaptednormally to retain said first gear in such engagement but when raised topermit the same to be shifted out of such engagement.

19. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a tin'ie-printingdevice movable across said platen, a rotatable shaft slidably engaged bysaid device for actuating the time-printing type-wheels therein, asecond rotatable shaft parallel with the first and adapted to engagesaid device to control its movement, clock mechanism for driving saidshafts, and auxiliary driving means connected with said second shaft.

20. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printingdevice movable toward and from the same, resilient means normallyretaining said device against movement from a position of rest out ofcontact with said platen, and means adapted to remove said device stillfarther from said platen and thereupon to release the same.

21. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen, time-printingdevice movable to Ward and from the same, resilient means normallyretaining said device against movement in either direction from aposition of rest out of contact with said platen, and means adapted toremove said device still farther from said platen and thereupon torelease the same.

In a time-recorder, the combination of 5 a platen, a time-printingdevice movable to- Ward and from the same, resilient means normallyretaining said (lGYlCQ againstmovement from a position or rest out ofcontact FRANK FRANK J. TRAN. CAIS.

Attested by E. R. Rom), Jxo. F. OBnnLix.

